John Thomas 'Jack' Kelley

Funeral Mass for longtime Cortez resident John Thomas "Jack" Kelley will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Father Pat Valdez, C.R. will officiate. Military Honors will be provided by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Private Interment will take place at Bayfield Cemetery, Bayfield, Colo.

A Rosary will be held on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Jack passed away at his home on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2013, at the age of 79. Jack was born May 28, 1933, in St. Louis, Mo. to John Ambrose and Lavina Elizabeth (Sieferd) Kelley. Jack married Carolyn Ruth Pierce on April 28, 1962, in Albuquerque, N.M. To this union three children were born, Paula, Jeanie and John T.

Jack served his country as a member of the Air Force. He worked for Mountain Bell, was a water well driller in New Mexico, and helped to build the ski runs at Angel Fire. He operated the Sportsman Chevron, and owned and operated Park Street Chevron and Jacco Distributing for many years in Cortez. Jack was a longtime resident of Cortez but lived and ran a business in Bayfield for 22 years as well. Jack was an Elks member. He loved spending time outdoors fishing, camping and hunting. Jack also loved to tinker. Dancing with his wife of 50 years brought Jack much enjoyment.